RSS
Home › › College Football
Bowden, Clemson "part ways" after 10 years
10th-year coach leaves in wake of disappointing 3-3 start
Photo Gallery
Tommy Bowden out at Clemson
Tommy Bowden announced his resignation as Clemson's head football coach on Monday, Oct. 13, 2008. Dabo Swinney, the assistant head coach, was named interim head coach and ran Monday's practice before speaking with reporters at a press conference.
STORY TOOLS
Share and Enjoy
RELATED STORIES
- Bowden’s abrupt departure leaves Swinney to turn flagging season
- Bowden’s tenure marked by falling just short of ultimate success
- Poll: How are taking Tommy Bowden's "split" with Clemson University?
- Time ran out for Bowden, but money didn't
- So who should be Clemson's next football coach?
- Fans reacting vocally to Bowden firing at Clemson
- Clemson makes it official
More College Football
- Swinney adds two more former Alabama assistants with Clemson ties
- Swinney begins search for defensive coordinator
- Fan support, strong finish help Clemson earn Gator Bowl date with Nebraska
Rate this Article
CLEMSON — Tommy Bowden’s 10-year run as Clemson head football coach is over.
Clemson officials announced Monday afternoon that Bowden and the university had "parted ways" after a 3-3 start to a 2008 season marked by sky-high expectations.
The Tigers imploded in a 34-10 season-opening loss to Alabama and are virtually out of the Atlantic Division title race with a 1-2 ACC record following Thursday’s 12-7 loss at Wake Forest. Clemson has finished only four seasons in the Associated Press top 25 and only one in the top 20 – a No.14 finish in 2000, Bowden’s second season.
Receivers coach Dabo Swinney will serve as the Tigers’ interim coach for the rest of the season and a potential bowl game. Clemson hosts Georgia Tech at noon Saturday. Phillips said that Swinney will have an opportunity to win the job, but that he will begin the process of searching for Bowden’s replacement immediately. Swinney immediately fired offensive coordinator Rob Spence.
Bowden was 72-45 in nine-plus seasons at Clemson and led the Tigers to eight bowl games. But he never won an ACC division or overall title or more than nine games in a season.
He received a lucrative contract extension which pushed his annual salary from $1.3 to $1.8 million per season following a flirtation with Arkansas last December. The contract includes a $4 million buyout which can be paid over six years, but it was set to drop to $3.5 million on Dec. 1, two days after the season finale with South Carolina.
Phillips said that Bowden will be paid $3.5 million in the buyout, a figure the two agreed to Monday. Bowden will be paid his regular salary through Nov. 30.
Bowden and Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips agreed to do so after two Monday morning meetings. Phillips approached Bowden to talk about the state of the program, and Bowden eventually offered his resignation.
“Terry Don approached me this morning and we both agreed this was probably the best solution for the program at this time,” Bowden said in a brief statement during a joint press conference with Phillips at the McFadden Building.
“Clemson has been very good to me and my family. Both of my children have degrees from here. I’m very appreciative of the opportunity Clemson gave me and the support Clemson gave me while I was here.I also want to thank the players and the coaches that worked so hard. I wish them nothing but success and that I will be their biggest fan on Saturday.”
Bowden then walked off stage left and across the hall into his office, closing the door behind him. He did not take questions from reporters.
“As we talked about the program (this morning) it was coach Bowden that put (leaving) on the table,” Phillips said. “He said ‘Well, in looking at things, and the cloud that is over the program now, we’ve got recruiting issues, we’ve got morale issues, and he said, you know, there just comes a time when the time is probably right to step aside.’
“ So he put that on the table, he discussed that, and he made the offer to step aside for the good of the program, I accepted that offer, and that’s why we’re in there today.He was not fired. He put it on the table for the sake of the program. He felt there’s a time to step aside so the program can move forward.”
His players, while surprised, vowed to do just that.
“ I'm kind of shocked at the news,” said kicker Mark Buchholz. “I knew all the pressure coming from the alumni, fans, and they want wins and that's what we need to give them. The change, the administration I guess thought it had to happen. Hopefully we can get the fans some wins and get them what they want and move on from here."
Comments
There are 47 responses to this article.
Comments are meant to offer our readers a forum for thoughtful, robust debate about local issues.
Comments are moderated, but you may find the content of the conversations offensive, objectionable or factually disputable.
IndependentMail.com does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post or respond to every suggestion for a comment to be removed.
Before you post, consider this:
Please read our official user-contributions policy.
AIM's Clemson fans should be happy today! Are you surprised they did it mid-season? They apparently were being hounded badly.
of course they were being hounded-- now... Danny Ford, come out, come out, wherever you are!
Don't know the inside story, but Bowden met with Administration twice this morning and President James Barker announced the decision at noon. If you notice Bowden "resigned", not "fired".
The headlined say's FIRED, and if they keep looking there is more in administration that can go with him.
Good for Clemson! A good Man but not a Great Coach. Interesting few weeks coming up now.
Bobby Johnson from Vandy would be my Guess!
wonder how many student's tuition $4,000,000 would pay? ...
Bowden get released: Dow jumps over 900 points.
The nation agrees, it was a good thing!!
in response to REPNOMORE
Do you remember Arkansas?Now, that would be a bigger mistake than firing him (Danny)was. He was the best coach we have ever had but the game has passed him by.
How about Gary Patterson at TCU? Will Muschamp (sp.) the DC at UT? The head coach at South Florida?
Or maybe Dabo does such a good job we let him run with it. Dabo is an awesome recruiter and possesses a unique mindset he just might be able to make adjustments at halftime (something Bowden or his OC apparently could not do).
Yall dont even know the half of it being a diehard Tiger fan living dead in the middle of Tuscaloosa AL ( if you dont know that geographic location then please see the result of Aug 30 game in GA Dome) With most knowing who the coach is here and what those rednecks paid him to get him here...my question is how much is Clemson willing to spend to get that championship that everyone wants?
I'd doubt Danny would want to come back. What would coming back provide him? He has the money, has the legend status, no where to go from this point but down.
yippeeee!!!!!bunch of sore losers!!!!you need a lesson in how to not be a bunch of WHINEBAGS!!!! if you really had all the talent you say you do the boys would make the plays regardless of who the coach is!!!! the team will still stink & who you gonna blame it on now???
in response to gvhatl
I think I agree, good man, but not 3.5 million good. It's why I don't spend much on college athletics. I think Bobby Johnson should have his head examined if he comes to Clemson.
in response to 1cockychick
BS! Clemson fans don't accept being losers like USC fans! You still have the chicken curse! What I don't like is some of the student's remarks about Bowden who are freshman and have no clue. Bowden is a respectable father, husband, and coach. He left the same way, respectable. I wish him and his family the best. Spence brought him down and Bowden was man enough to go down with him. I admit that I didn't think he was the best choice when they hired and got a little POed about the remark he made about the people here in Clemson don't have anything to do but watch the grass grow. We had just got new sod on the field. If he was expecting more here, he should have stayed where he was. I still appreciate the ethical standards and recruiting skills he has. I do hope if he still wants to coach that he will be successful. Ford got too big for his pants. Let's Dabo will get some wins; like he said he has nothing to lose. That's true but what about the seniors. They deserve something. TOO BAD HE CAN'T TAKE CULLEN HARPER WITH HIM!!!! He has no respect, is self centered, and is NOT a leader. He is a WHINER and he needs to go with Spence. Again, Gamecock fans are use to losing, look at your record, Clemson fans are winners and expect it. If the coach can't produce, he's gotta go. Plain and simple. Don't care about religion, character, or walks backwards as long as he can win ball games!!!! That is what CLEMSON stands for; anyway & anyhow!
in response to demlican
Sorry, forget to ask if you have heard or played bag in hole? Here in Clemson we say you've been KORN HOLED!! I knew you'd like. Cullen Harper is a chicken from Columbia, reckon the SPURier would take him under his wing? Hope so!!!
Bowden is like Bush a
Conservative and Right Wing LOSER!
No Wonder he was supported far too long
by the Red Neck Masses of Clemson.
The same people who think McCain actually cares about them and not just Big Business.
Thank God Bowden and Bush are both Finished.
in response to demlican
Cullen Harper was unprotected by weak line. Not too manby QBs can hang bakc there and constantly get plummeled or have the threat of it. Does not matter who the QB is, if the line is not blocking!!
I am just glad Bowden is gone. Maybe someone can rally the quality players that Clemson has!! I just hate we have to pay Bowden...it really is almost like stealing to take that money!! The money is so undeserved.
Wonder if Bowden is as arrogant now? My guess is that he is!!
Was harper speaking the truth? Of course he was. So what's the big deal? Should they all be on TV crying like James Davis?
I've been a Clemson fan all my life(40 yrs), through thick and thin, lose or win, no matter the situation. You can tell who is a true Clemson fan from a Danny Ford fan by all these remarks. Tommy is one of the BEST things that has happen to Clemson Football in a long time.
He's in the top 3 coaches ever to coach here.
I wish him and his family the best,and wish Clemson the best the rest of the season.
Dabo Swinney is the best choice to finish the season as head coach and I hope he is the top choice for the job come the end of the season.
He knows Clemson and he knows Clemson Football.
As to Harper, if I was Dabo he would not walk the Clemson sideline the rest of the season, for his comments. He is nothing but a self-center BRAT. GO TIGERS !!!!!!!!!!!!
in response to voicefromAnderson
I agree with all of your posting.
Coach Bowden just lost something with his players and he could not recover. I think Spence was the bad apple in the basket.
As for Coach Bowden I wish him and his family the best of luck.
in response to gvhatl
Why do you have to resort to personal attacks? Bobby has never done anything to you.
It's sad that you thank God..but the truth is God would never approve of your hatred for Bush and Bowden.
Hate is sin and it is the same as murder in Gods eyes.
I have always been a Clemson fan for as long as I can remember. I am more of a casual fan though. I watch a little bit of football here and there but never sit down and watch a whole game.
I have never understood the whole "fire the coach because the team is losing" thing.
Isn't it the players who lose?
I know coaches can make bad calls but it is the players job to give 110% when they go out on that field.
Maybe clemson needs to release the football players who can't make the plays happen.
How will firing the coach make the players play better?
in response to hadmopoo
Would someone tell me accurately what Cullen Harper said. I missed it. Thanks!
in response to starflyer59
I agree and i do know football. I love football, but hate the big business of it. Why should these kids get a free education when so many of them dont deserve it and other hard working students dont get the financial help they need. It's the players job to get it done. I dont like Clemson football for one reason and that is the obnoxious fans who live and breathe Clemson football. You need to get a life and focus on more important things. Thats why i like high school football so much. They play for the love of the game. This goes for small colleges too. This is real football. The players at Furman and other small schools are students first, then athletes. Thats the way it should be.
One more point to all Clemson fans. Everyone is looking at this weekends Georgia Tech game as the litmus test for the new QB and new interim coach. You will win this game easily. You would have won it with Tommy Bowden in place. Georgia Tech ALMOST lost to Byrnes High School (oops, i mean Gardner-Webb). So dont get to excited when you win this game or the rest of them. You have a weak schedule all year (with exception of Ala.) but especially the rest of the way. The ACC is not just down this year but it is below average every year. Its a weak conference and you should win it every year. And i dont understand this so called rich Clemson football history. The national championship was a fluke. Anyone can upset anyone on any given day which is what happened with Nebraska. And trust me, i know Danny Ford personally and he was nothing special. Far from the God most of you think.
in response to jacketsfan76
Harper said that he got what he deserved.
in response to gvhatl
Bowden is a lot like Bush: He only got the job because of who his daddy is and didn't know what to do once he got there.
In Response to gvhatl... Wait until OSAMA-OBAMA goes into office and the terrorist start a training camp in America. Oh you were probably unaware of what he did after college. Why did he train, I mean spend three weeks in Pakistan. History will prove all of you wrong.
in response to sportsdad
What on earth does this have to do with college football in Clemson, SC? Save your political rhetoric for the political articles. It has no place in this column.
In response to ConcernedCitizen25. I was merely responding to the above hit on BUSH. Did you read all of the comments. Oh yea, I forgot, Democrats have selective reading skills.
A serious question.... If Tommy put the idea on the table, and offered to leave, that means he resigned.
How do you qualify for a buy out if you resign? It my understanding buy outs are only if you are fired?
in response to sportsdad
Wow . . . just when I thought you made US Republicans look ignorant, uneducated, and petty in your last comment, you go and do me one better! I read both the Bush bashing comments and your Obama ones -- once again -- what in the world does this have to do with football? Absolutely nothing!
in response to 1cockychick
Gamecock fans are not only sore losers, their sore winners too! I was at a USC game this season where fans booed even though they won. Give Spurrier a couple more sorry seasons & let's see how the sore losers react. I have to agree with an earlier post. We need to start enjoying good old high school football or a fine small college in our state. There is nothing better than a Saturday at a SoCon game! A lot less traffic, less drunks & less hassle!
I personally liked the way Bowden ran his program. The students basically behaved, education was important, and all in all it was a first class organization. But lets all remember that 10 years ago Bowden all but gauranteed a conference championship....and since then all he has said was "next year...next year".
After faking the attention from Arkansas last year and stealing a big contract he knew his job was on the line this year.
He could have fired someone (Spence) but he apparently was too nice or too timid...pick one.
Anyone who thinks he was not fired is dreaming. He was called on the carpet and allowed to leave with dignity...that's all.
Bottom line...demanding big bucks puts you in the hot seat. Perform or go!
My thoughts are (WHO CARES), Football has nothing to do with Education it is big business, but do you really think someone will agree to quit-(resign)- with millions on the line? Who is Cullen kin to within Clemson's money people? All you had to do was watch Bowens facial expressions and it was a no brainer to see He was fired, if he was leaving on such friendly terms, WHY did he leave so quick?
Tommy, hold your head high. You did a great job.
You will be better off at your next school. Terry Don, I hope you wallow in this mess until they run you off, you smooth talking liar! And to the rest of the Clemson fans - appreciate what you get next.
I'm rubber your glue what you say bounces off me and sticks to you!!!!!!! you are still a bunch of WHINEBAGS!!!!! boo hoo
oh yea by the way CLEMSON STILL STINKS!!!!
(LOL!1cockychick,does your mama know you are on her computer?)
I was also wondering if he resigned and left voluntarily why Clemson would have to pay on his contract??
Watching Clemson football under Bowden, especially this year has been painful. I am a USC grad and enjoy football from both schools...the visor can coach.
What was going on at Clemson was not a mystery. Bowden always promised that when his defense got good enough to win games...then he would start letting his offense go wild.
Without a doubt, many young men who played for Bowden felt cheated, especially the ones that I came to know after their playing years...not only did they feel cheated out of some very good seasons, they felt that Bowden was cheating by limiting his offensive play calling.
I gave up my season tickets in 2000 because I felt that Bowden lost a game on purpose to his dad. Little did I know, but one year later, I would work with one of his former defensive players and he introduced me to some offensive starters who graduated in 2001...they all said the same thing...Bowden wouldn't let them win!
Take it for what it is worth...it validated what I had seen and have seen surrounding clemson's sputtering offense...Bowden was fired, because the AD started calling former coaches and players...they knew the truth...Tommy lost games on purpose. Why? To keep his contract rolling over and over. He sold his players out, he sold the Clemson faithful out!
Time to move on...
By the way, Danny Ford was a great great coach...anyone who disagrees don't know much about football. Anyone who disagrees with the firing of Bowden, don't know much about NCAA investigations.
Anyone needing a reference for the above commentary...see Reggie Herring...one of Bowdens first victims, who had guessed the truth by his (Herrings) last season!
The republicans are setting up Obama and democrats like clay pigeons...4 years and the whole nation will be hollering for change...again. No one ever learns...write in Collin Powell.
in response to waiting
Because they "negotiated" his dismissal. Basically they said if you leave now, you can still get 3.5 mil.
in response to hadmopoo
There is nothing wrong with having/showing feelings... just because you may think Bowden was not a good coach, doesn't mean he isn't a good man/friend! Sometimes it takes a good man/woman to recognize another.
in response to hadmopoo
If it was a dismissal, then it was not a resignation! It is either one or the other: he quit = no money; he was fired = money!
in response to waiting
let me break it down for you....if they fired him, they would have to pay him the full 4 million. They basically gave him the option to step down and not have it considered a firing and he could still get 3.5 million. Maybe he's not as stupid as I thought.
Bowden is gone, they are looking for another coach. GET OVER IT. Life is more important than football.
With Bobby Bowden about ready to retire at FSU, could it be possible that Tommy could wind up there? Food for thought? Being a TN Vols fan, I wish Clemson would take Phil Fulmer and give us Tommy Bowden. Of course we would expect to give Clemson some money as "boot" on the deal. 18 years of Flabby Fulmer is enough!!
in response to hadmopoo
I "got" that from the start. What I am speaking to is the semantics. He was fired=payoff; resigns=no payoff.
So, what I am saying is: Bowden can't have it both ways. He was fired! Therefore, he gets the money.Call a spade a spade!
(Requires free registration.)